L.E.A.P. attentively

The clouds are parting, the fog has lifted. The sun is shining! I’m wide awake to the gift of this day, this moment. I don’t want to miss it!

Life is so busy; so I’m slowing down! And, just incase, like me, the thought of “leaping” makes you feel tired and you don’t have the energy for one more thing that demands more work, THIS IS A “FILLER”, an escape, a reward, a gift to give yourself for FUN!

One of my goals for this year is to not over book my calendar! I want to simplify my life and focus on what really matters. Therefore, it is a priority to put first things first, and then choose the best with the rest of my time.

And, this month, as a just-for-fun “filler”, to give me a fresh perspective and to avoid being completely “drained” by the challenges and responsibilities in this season, I will ask the LORD to help me…

Live – attentively

Enjoy – attentively

Add – attentively

Pray – attentively

Attentive – paying close attention

I will be attentive to the wonders and blessing all around me. On at least 29 days of the next month, I will slow down to LOOK and LISTEN, to the people around me, to the beauty of nature, to the small details and the softer sounds, …

I’ve created a simple chart that you can print or modify however you like.

You can choose another adverb for your month if you wish, and you can take this challenge in any direction you like. But, this month I plan to stop and be still for a few minutes each day and write down something that I notice or learn.

29 Photos —

Specifically, I hope to go outside or sit still by a window or in a quiet corner in my house, and with my camera, play the “telescope” game that I remember playing as a child (looking through a cardboard paper towel or toilet paper roll, focus in on details).

I hope to take a few photos, and then choose one picture that has a unique perspective or especially shows details for each of the 29 days. Maybe I’ll even journal and attempt to poetically describe the details: “I spy…” or “I hear…”

Physical Reminder

I will use the physical reminder that I chose to carry with me for this year, not only to remember to pray but to be attentive this month.

I want to be a better listener especially to my children. I can so easily be distracted. Too often when they are telling me a story, my mind is preoccupied with the next thing I need to do, and then have to ask them to repeat what they just said. …but not this month!

As with the suggestions for each month, you can choose to continue them on through out the year, or just enjoy the idea for the season and then move on to the next suggestion that will be posted for next month. And, if what you try does not inspire you after a few days, modify it to be more practical, creative, or fun.

(If you care to share them in a comment, I’d love to hear your ideas of how you plan to be attentive this month .)

LIVE more attentively.

Taking in the details of the moment regardless of where my adventures and responsibilities take me, I will engage in the here and now. I will take my thoughts captive and not be planning tomorrow when I need to be living today!

ENJOY more attentively.

When I sit down to relax or have a cup of tea, I will choose to use all my senses to more fully experience and savor the moment. I will breath in deeply, smell the fragrances of coffee, perfume, fresh laundry, scented candles,… I will take in the full experience: quiet my heart to hear and see, taste and feel the sounds, the colors, the flavors, and textures of my world.

ADD more attentively.

My gift to my family can be “being there” in the moment with them. I will slow down and listen so that my responses are appropriate and my words can will be more insightful and helpful. I will pay attention to the other person in the conversation (and their body language) and be more reflective to sense what is really going (and be more understanding and gracious if a conflict arises).

PRAY attentively.

I will listen to what the LORD, who promises peace to His people, will say to me. I will ask His Spirit to lead me to the passages He would have me read. I will seek Him to prompt me in what He would have me pray and what He would have me do after I say “Amen”. I will let Him set the pace for my day and be attentive to His whispers through out the day. And, when someone asks me to pray, I will take note of the request but also pay attention to what they are not saying and be sensitive to the deeper need and what they are really seeking.

What about you???

ASK YOURSELF

How are you going to L.E.A.P. this month?

How are you going to live (attentively) this month?

How (or What) are you going to enjoy (attentively) this month?

How (or What) are you going to add (attentively) this month?

How are you going to pray (attentively) this month?

FYI - The photos above are of the folder I made to keep my L.E.A.P. charts for the year. It is made from an old manila folder cut to a smaller size (closer to the size of my prayer book, calendar, and Bible); then I covered it with scrapbook paper. I printed my charts in half pages on the paper saving mode on my printer, and I can slip them into the pockets I made with vellum.)
Just a reminder - I will be posting a 29 day L.E.A.P. challenge on the 29th of each month. Most months, that gives you a couple grace days to ponder how you want to apply ideas and make them your own. -- I'm praying for you! Have fun "L.E.A.P.ing"!!!!

On the 29th of each month, you will receive a creative challenge and a practical page to download and print to help you LEAP throughout the year.

Here is the general outline of themes for the months. (Though I may rearrange or tweak them a bit, I wanted to go ahead and share them with you so you can get a better feel for what I have in mind.)

Dates:

This month…

Feb 29th (March 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Attentively

Mar 29th (April 1-29))

L.E.A.P. Beautifully

Apr 29th (May 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Intentionally

May 29th (June 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Naturally

June 29th (July 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Generously

July 29th (August 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Patiently

Aug 29th (September 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Simply

Sept 29th (October 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Humorously

Oct 29th (November 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Quietly

Nov 29th (December 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Thankfully

Dec 29th (January 1-29)

L.E.A.P. Actively

Jan 29th (February 1-28)

L.E.A.P. Lovingly

February 28

L.E.A.P. Continually –

“Keep on L.E.A.P.-ing”

This will coincide with 1-1-1-1 (pray), a personal challenge designed to make every day count as I eagerly count down to my favorite days:

my favorite day of the year (my annual prayer days),

my favorite days of the month (my monthly plan and pray days),

my favorite day of the week (my quiet day at home alone with the LORD to rest, seek, and pray)

my favorite minutes of the day (the first 15 minutes of prayer!)

With special days like this, and especially fun and inspiring L.E.A.P. challenges each month, I have so much to look forward to! I am genuinely excited about waking up each morning and jumping into all the LORD has for me.

So if you want to spring into action with some simple encouragement to…

Live … Attentively

Enjoy … Attentively

Add … Attentively

Pray … Attentively

…. check back on February 29th for the first challenge or subscribe to receive a link in your email.

In the meantime, print your own L.E.A.P. calendar for personal accountability to start meeting the LORD first thing each morning, to mark off the one day each week that you will set aside to rest and seek the LORD, to schedule that special day of each month to plan in His presence, and to begin planning that holy get-away with God.

Without regular work, "rest" is laziness, but regular work without rest is disobedience.

Basically, once a week (on the Sabbath) and on special days (Holy-days, holidays, days of feasts and days of remembrance), God told His people He wanted them to take a break. Do something different from their regular work. This day is special.

More than that, the Sabbath day is holy to the LORD…

the context of REST is in the Presence of LORD

and the Presence of the LORD is PEACE

…this is why we pray.

The world offers expensive mattresses, spas and bubble baths, vacations, and invitations to run-away and escape. But everyone who woke-up with a hang-over, or tossed and turned all night with worry, or felt empty and lonely surrounded by people and wealth can testify that the world can’t give us what we really need…

REST.

a heart at rest

rest for the mind

rest for soul

rest for the body

REST is the LORD giving us Himself, and providing what He knows we need when we need it. Rest is hearing the LORD’s command and following His example…

“…observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant… in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day He ceased from labor, and was refreshed.” Exodus 31:16-17

“YOU MUST TAKE A DAY OFF!”

– His commands, oh, what a burden! –

Why do we ever resist His will?

So whether you…

get away or stay home

have time alone or invite friends over

sleep in or watch the sunrise

go to bed early or have a late movie night

“Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” – Col. 3:17

On Saturdays I ask, “LORD, how will I rest with You today?”

It’s not really about what we do and don’t do. Jesus taught us that, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27) The Sabbath is about the LORD, the Lord of the Sabbath! (v. 28)

Rest, like prayer, is a blessing, never a burden.

Make REST a matter of PRAYER

My Saturday morning prayer time isn’t long, but it’s the day that’s easiest to become distracted, to postpone and forget talking to the LORD altogether.

Especially on Saturday, I want to begin seeking the LORD; so that day can be truly restful regardless of where I am or what I do with the rest of the day. I want to remember the Sabbath day; I want to remember the LORD! He is “holy”. He has called this day “holy”, and he has called me to be “holy”.

These are some verses I have chosen for REST. Consider writing out a few verses of your own to incorporate into your prayer time on Saturdays mornings.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 “Now may the Lord of peace grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all!”

Isaiah 9:6 “… and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 26:3,12 “The steadfast of mind You will keep in perfect peace, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.”

Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My loving-kindness will not be removed from you, and my covenant of peace will not be shaken.”

Isaiah 55:12 “For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of field will clap their hands.”

Romans 15:13 “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 4:6-7 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength to His people; the LORD will bless His people with peace.

John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”

John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in My you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but that courage; I have overcome the world.”

Romans 14:16-19 “Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil; for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest from your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Isaiah 28:12 “…who said to them, ‘Here is rest, give rest to the weary,’ And, ‘Here is repose,’ but they would not listen.”

Matthew 23:37 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.”

Psalm 34:15 “Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Psalm 85:8 “I will hear what God the LORD will say; for He will speak peace to His people, to His godly ones; but let them not turn back to folly.”

As with the other days of the week in this PRAY 7 Days season, I’m focusing on praying scriptures and claiming promises related to key words I have chosen. Then praying briefly through the most important requests as I do each morning.

Let the Weekend Begin

Though you probably wouldn’t guess from my appearance, I’m Hawaiian. I was actually born in Honolulu. Maybe that’s why I love the ocean so much or why I’m drawn to the Hawaiian culture of Aloha:

Hello, Welcome;

Love, Blessings, & Peace to You;

Till We Meet Again

I love tropical sunshine-and-rainbow weather, shells and sand. Between my daughter and I practicing our steps from our hula lessons and my sons playing their ukuleles, our house is filled with Hawaiian music. I even have a hula-girl swaying on the dashboard of my car.

It all seems to say, “Hang loose, bruddah!”

“No worries!”

“What’s your hurry? Take your time. Enjoy the moment.”

What is it about the other 49 states that, even on the weekends, they seem more up-tight and hurried than the Hawaiians do on their busiest week days? Some how the people of the islands smile and live in “Aloha” all week long.

Aloha Fridays

I became familiar with the tradition of “Aloha Fridays” when my parents had their second tour in Hawaii. More than just a “casual Friday”, it’s an Aloha day. The already laid back islands take off from work early; they put on Aloha shirts and chill.

Though I want to live it every day, I especially want my Fridays to feel like “Aloha” for my family.

Like the Jewish families that start their Sabbath at sunset on Friday, I want the rest, the fun and peace, of the weekend to start as soon as the work of the week is done, and to be sensible enough to know when to call it a day, realizing there will always be more to do and that it will keep for another day.

Discover What You Already Have

Every season and station in life has its advantages, but it’s impossible to “take advantage” of them if we don’t know what they are.

One of the perks of homeschooling is if the kids finish the work assigned for the week early, they really can have a half-day “Aloha Friday”. There are many unique opportunities’ we have as a homeschool family, but it would be easy for us to miss all those things simply by not thinking of them because we were busy replicating a traditional school, stuck repeating the familiar.

For you, in your current season of life, what options have not considered?

What advantages do you have at this time that you can make the most of?

What about in your prayer time? Are you trying to keep a tradition or expectation that is not realistic or biblical?

What can you change in your current routine to experience more freedom and find new enjoyment in your time with the LORD (especially on Fridays)?

Freedom is Ours

Our only limits should be those that God has placed over us. Our guides should be Truth, revealed to us by His Word and His Spirit.

After that the possibilities are limitless…

especially when it comes to …. everything!

our relationship with the LORD

our prayer life

our family life

our marriage

our home

our friendships

our service to others

…

Much like the Hawaiian culture and “aloha” that seems foreign to the busy pace of life in the continental United States, the abundant Christian life and “agape” (unconditional love)are strange to this world.

We experience this abundance and freedom by remembering the counter-culture of the Kingdom of God and letting the LORD reign over us and in us as werenew our mind and choose to not conform to this world.

LOVE (“aloha” and “agape”) comes from God.

And, His perfect love changes everything.

So, on Fridays I like to start my day by letting the busyness of this world blur and focusing in on Christ, who reminds me of who I am and what is mine in HIM.

In Christ

The more we are aware of who we are and what we have in Him, the more options we become aware of. We are free to really LIVE: to think, create, love, and inspire.

I read a verse or two, that I’ve numbered according to the days of the month, and turn the scripture into a prayer with thanksgiving.

In Friday’s pocket I also have Appendix 5 (“Spiritual Ammo”, from The Battle Plan, from the War Room resources mentioned in an earlier post) and some specific verses written on 3×5 cards related to an area of my life where I am seeking victory .

My prayer for you and for myself is that we will let the love of God reassure us of our value and significance in His kingdom and will find victory and freedom as we let the LORD reign over every area of our life.

May you live in His love, know His power, display His grace, and experience His victory is your life this weekend!

ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM, SISTA’!

ENJOY YOUR “AGAPE ” FRIDAY!

The Last Full Day Before the Weekend

For me, Thursdays have always been a day of purpose, a day to “get down to business”. Nothing particular is associated with this day, but for that reason, it seems to be the “available day” to be productive, to wrap up for odds and ends neglected around the house through the week, for errands and appointments, for friends stopping in, or for charitable social visits.

Along with the idea that this is the last full day to get work done before the weekend(I consider half of Friday part of the weekend.), it gets filled with the things I don’t want to do on Friday through Sunday; so I can be “FREE!!!”.

But, I don’t just want to be “busy”; I want to be like Jesus and be “about my Father’s business”.

What comes to mind when you think of Thursdays? As you take on a week of prayer challenge or plan out a Pray 7 Days notebook of your own, what do you need Thursday’s focus to be?

PURPOSE and PROMISE

… my words for Thursday.

For this day, I’ve filled these pockets with passages or scripture that relate to God’s purpose for my life, reminders of my spiritual gifts, and hand written verses of promise that are meaningful to me in this season.

As followers of Christ, we have a common purpose and calling, but the LORD also has a plan for each of our lives, an individual purpose and calling. This day can be an invitation to seek the LORD concerning His general will for all believers, but also to ask Him for specific wisdom, direction, and clarification.

Scriptures of PURPOSE

As with the other days’ verses, I hope you’ll be encouraged as you read the verses I’ve chosen for my Thursdays, but then also to add verses to your own list that the LORD impresses upon your heart as you seek Him in your personal time in the Word.

Psalm 57:2 I will cry to God Most High, To God who accomplishes all things for me. (NAS) …who fulfills His purpose for me. (ESV) …who vindicates me (NIV) …who performeth all things for me. (KJV)

Jeremiah 29:11 ‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.(NAS) For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (KJV) …plans to prosper you and not to harm you (NIV) …They are plans for good and not for disaster (Living)

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge, and He will make your paths straight (direct your paths – KJV).

Proverbs 16:1, 3, 4, 9 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the LORD. Commit your works to the LORD And your plans will be established. The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked for the day of evil. The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 19:21 Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.

Isaiah 14:24, 27 The LORD of hosts has sworn saying, “Surely, just as I have intended so it has happened, and just as I have planned so it will stand,… For the LORD Almighty has purposed, and who can thwart him? His hand is stretched out, and who can turn it back?

Isaiah 46:10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’ (‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ ESV)

Isaiah 25:1 O LORD, You are my God; I will exalt You, I will give thanks to Your name; For You have worked wonders, Plans formed long ago, with perfect faithfulness.

Isaiah 43:1-2 But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

Psalm 37:23 The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him

Psalm 33:10-11 The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples. But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

Acts 5:39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Ephesians 1:9, 11 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,…

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

v.11-14 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

Psalm 73:24 With Your counsel You will guide me, And afterward receive me to glory.

Psalm 143:8 Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning; For I trust in You; Teach me the way in which I should walk; For to You I lift up my soul.

Psalm 27:11 Teach me Your way, O LORD, And lead me in a level path because of my foes.

Psalm 5:8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies– make your way straight before me.

Psalm 25 … Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. Make me know Your ways, O LORD; (show me Your ways NIV) Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. ….Good and upright is the LORD; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. All the paths of the LORD are loving-kindness and truth To those who keep His covenant and His testimonies. …The secret of the LORD is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. “The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

Psalm 138:7-8 7Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch forth Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand will save me. The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving-kindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.

Philippians 1:6, 9-11 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, (discern what is best – NIV) in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. – Living)

Psalm 139:16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. (before one of them came to be – NIV)

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.